Brief Description: Studying the environmental impact of plastic check-out bags.

Sponsors: Representatives Chase, Campbell, Hasegawa, Dunn and Wood.

Hearing Date: 1/31/08

Staff: Ashley Pedersen (786-7303).

Background:

According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 2006, the United States generated about 14 million tons of plastics in the municipal solid waste stream as containers and packaging, over 6 million tons as nondurable goods, and almost 9 million tons as durable goods. Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide.

The overall recovery of plastics for recycling is relatively small—1.4 million tons, or 3.9 percent of plastics generationed in 2003. Recovery of some plastic containers has reached higher levels.

While there has been no Washington study regarding plastic bags, the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer, the Los Angeles County Director of Internal Services, and the Los Angeles County Director of Public Works, with input from environmental protection and grocer organizations have conducted a study and prepared a report. The August 2007 Report to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors includes these key findings:

• Plastic carryout bags have been found to significantly contribute to litter and have other negative impacts on marine wildlife and the environment.
• Biodegradable carryout bags are not a practical solution to this issue in Los Angeles County because there are no local commercial composting facilities able to process the biodegradable carryout bags at this time.
• Reusable bags contribute towards environmental sustainability over plastic and paper carryout bags.
• Accelerating the widespread use of reusable bags will diminish plastic bag litter and redirect environmental preservation efforts and resources towards "greener" practices.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Ecology must convene and chair a work group to study approaches and techniques that are effective at minimizing the potential for adverse environmental impacts caused by the manufacture, use, recycling, and disposal of plastic check-out bags. "Plastic check-out bag" includes any plastic bag that is provided by a retail store or wholesale store to a customer at the point of sale.

The work group must include representatives from the Department of Health; industry; and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate by the Department of Ecology.

By December 1, 2008 the work group must make recommendations to the Legislature. The recommendations must include practical and cost-effective opportunities to minimize the potential for adverse environmental impacts caused by plastic check-out bags. The recommendations may include statutory or regulatory changes, incentives, and other approaches.

In making its recommendations, the work group must consider:

• laws and regulations of other states compared to Washington;
• federal laws and regulations;
• research findings regarding the scope of the environmental impact caused by plastic check-out bags; and
• alternative options for reducing the environmental impact caused by the manufacture, use, recycling, and disposal of plastic check-out bags in Washington, including the economic and environmental impacts of implementation of each alternative option.

The alternative options considered by the work group must include at least:

• banning plastic check-out bags;
• mandatory recycling of plastic check-out bags; and
• charging a tax for plastic check-out bags.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 25, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.